Veterans Day Anza Borrego Campout

Camp base will be at the primitive campground at Mountain Palm Springs (directions below). The camp ground does not have water so bring plenty for all drinking and cleaning needs. Pit toilets are on site. Fires are limited to containers, so campers must bring containers if you wish a fire and haul out all debris. Bring small sized fire wood. This campout is not an officially organized event or sponsored by any club (so can’t sue me if you hurt yourself!), just a meet up to experience the desert and explore some interesting places.

Thursdays Nov 11 (Veterans Day) Drive out to campsite (see directions below), be sure to stop at “Desert View Tower” on the way out to get a great view of the desert floor below and browse the interesting ion of books and souvenirs and say hi to the owner Ben. To get to Desert Tower, take the In-Ko-Pah exist off I-8 east and drive east until the road ends. Continue your journey to I-8 east to Ocotillo and north on S-2 about 15 miles to the Mount Palm Springs primitive campground turnoff (look for mile marker 47) and take the ½ mile dirt road to the camp ground. I Friday Nov 12 - Second day arrivals. After breakfast several hiking options; short hikes around campground area in the afternoon include Pygmy Grove, Palm Bowl (Afoot & Afield in SD Co. Jerry Schad p 326 2006 ed) or Torote Canyon (ibid, p 328). If the weather is nice and coast is clear, perhaps some free hiking. Late afternoon get together after the day’s activities for afternoon cocktails and snacks. Option drive up S-2 to Agua Caliente County Park for a soak in the mineral pools (see Friday below) Dinner on your own. Nighttime star gazing. Saturday Nov 13 Short hike to Pictograph trail (1 ½ mile roundtrip) and then explore Canyon Sin Nombre ‘s slot canyons (about 5 miles rt). Bring lunch and plenty of water. For a heavy duty all day hike, Arroyo Tapiado to explore the mud caves (ibid, page 341). The trail head is down a dirt road 4.5 miles from S-2 and can be very sandy. High clearance or 4WD is recommended by the guide books. Cap the day with a visit to Agua Caliente County park for a soak in the mineral pools (charge is $7.00 per car) Co-ed facility..sorry no nudity allowed (unless you want to go to jail). Visit the Agua Caliente store for interesting books and any supplies. Potluck dinner that evening. Sunday Nov 14 Perhaps a short hikes in morning and pack up. Option to go back to San Diego the northern route via S-2 north to 78 west up the Banner Grade to Julian. _____________________________________________ For those who want a day trip to a nudist resort or even camp there –De Anza Spring Resort is off I-8, west then get off at the Jucumba exit, go north along short dirt road to the resort. They have a ½ price offer for first time day visitors by printing the coupon on their website. You can also camp there, if you need full facilities such as showers, hot water, etc. Check out their website for fees. http://www.deanzasprings.com/guestpass.php